Iraqi security forces and Kurds gain ground against Islamic State
BAGHDAD/ARBIL Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi government forces and Shi’ite militias seized control of the strategic town of Jurf al-Sakhar near Baghdad from Islamic State on Saturday and Kurdish fighters made gains in the north after heavy coalition air strike…
Lebanon army fights gunmen in Tripoli, six soldiers killed
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Six Lebanese soldiers were killed as the army clashed with Islamist gunmen in northern Lebanon for a second day on Saturday, using helicopters to fire rockets in the first such air attack since the war in neighboring Syria began.
On eve of poll, Ukraine leader seeks support for pro-Europe course
KIEV (Reuters) – President Petro Poroshenko called on Ukrainians on Saturday to elect a majority on Sunday that would see through a pro-Europe, reform agenda and break with the Soviet past.
On eve of poll, Ukraine leader seeks support for pro-Europe course
KIEV (Reuters) – President Petro Poroshenko called on Ukrainians on Saturday to elect a majority on Sunday that would see through a pro-Europe, reform agenda and break with the Soviet past.
Anti-Occupy mob roughs up Hong Kong journalists
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Three journalists were roughed up on Saturday evening in Hong Kong after being confronted by pro-government protesters holding a rally to oppose a four-week long “Occupy” movement of the financial hub’s streets by pro-democracy de…
In rural Tunisia, economic malaise weighs on voters
KASSERINE Tunisia (Reuters) – In the western Tunisian city of Kasserine, campaign posters plastered on walls make plain what many voters want from Sunday’s parliamentary election — jobs, whose scarcity has fueled unrest and militancy.
Egypt eyes legal restrictions, military measures after Sinai attacks
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt is considering expanding the jurisdiction of military courts and displacing thousands of residents to enlarge a military buffer zone near the border with the Gaza Strip following an attack on security forces in the area.
Kurdish militants kill three soldiers in southeast Turkey: army
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Kurdish militants killed three Turkish soldiers in Turkey’s southeast on Saturday, the Turkish Armed Forces said, in a further blow to peace talks between Ankara and the insurgents.
Kurdish forces retake north Iraqi town from Islamic State
ARBIL Iraq (Reuters) – Kurdish forces retook the northern Iraqi town of Zumar and several nearby villages from Islamic State early on Saturday after heavy coalition air strikes against the Islamist insurgents, security sources said.
Iran re-arrests leading human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian security forces arrested world-renowned human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and several others on their way back from a protest on Saturday, her husband said.
